Jenkins v. General Motors Corp.

Ione Jenkins (plaintiff) was paralyzed when the GM (defendant) car she was riding in suddenly swerved off the road for no apparent reason. She sued GM for negligence, alleging a suspension nut was inadequately tightened and inspected during manufacturing. Both Jenkins and the driver testified the car became uncontrollable without warning, and a police officer confirmed there was no evidence of speeding, intoxication, or reckless driving; GM presented its own quality-control procedures and argued the suspension damage was caused by the accident, not the cause of it. The jury awarded Jenkins $425,000, and GM appealed, arguing the case shouldn't have gone to the jury at all.